Return to the World Directory
Return Home
|
|
 Your travel source with a personal touch! |
| Travel information and tips on Algeria including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Algeria, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. "Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel information on Algeria!
|
| At InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips on InfoHub.com, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make Infohub.com "The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream trip. |
|
Algeria, the second-largest country in Africa, extends from the Mediterranean coast deep into the hot Sahara.
The Atlas Mountains separate the country into two contrasting areas with the area to the north of the mountains, the coastal area
that includes the city of Algiers, being more popular with tourists than the much hotter Sahara which occupies more than four-fifths
of the country. The Mediterranean beaches are about the most popular place for tourists to gather. However, the Casbah and
the Court of the Great Mosque in Algiers are also very popular. There are several resorts in the Atlas Mountains and tours are
offered into the Sahara.
Click on In Depth Overview of Algeria for more complete information. Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim. |
|
If you have something you think should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Cities, Towns and Areas of Algeria
|
|
Algiers
Algiers is the capital city of Algeria. Known as
Alger in French and Al Djazair in Arabic
it is located on the Mediterranean Coast with a skyline
that is dominated by two shapes: the Martyrs Monument (Makam
ech-Chahid) in the south and in the city center, the
box-like shape of the Hotel Aurassi.
The Medina is the commercial and business center and just about everything in the city is either right there or close by. Nothing is far from the main street Rue Larbi ben M’Hidi, a tree lined pedestrian precinct running out of the Place Grand Post, a major square. The new Grand Mosque in Algiers (currently being built) will be the third largest mosque in the world and able to accommodate a staggering number of some 120 thousand worshipers
Although Algiers was one of Arabia's most beautiful cities, Algiers was never the same after the many years of colonial abuse. Today, Algiers is basically little more than just another modern port town. Most visitors here normally just stay long enough to arrange transport to Tamanrasset and other parts of Algeria, Africa or Europe. Although it is generally safe in Algiers, it is unfortunate that the most interesting parts of the city are found in the kasbah or medina district. And, as this has been pretty much off-limits to foreigners since the start of the troubles in the country, few get to see it. You are safest inside of the ring road as it seems the police are everywhere inside the ring road. Click here for hotel suggestions for Algiers.
Bijaya
A center of Algeria's
recently-developed petrochemical industry, Bijaya is an
important regional town located on the sea at the base of
Gouraya mountain.
Ghardaïa
Actually a cluster of five towns in the river valley of the Oued M'Zab - Ghardaïa, Melika, Beni Isguen, Bou Noura and El-Ateuf.
The area is home to a very
conservative Muslim sect called the Mozabites, which broke from mainstream Islam
some 900 years ago. It is well known for its
famous carpets and the daily souq in the old town. Beni Isguen, the religious fulcrum of the valley,
is worth visiting. It is located about 2 miles from central Ghardaïa. Foreigners are not allowed to enter without a guide, and never
on a
Fridays. It is forbidden to wear shorts, take photos or smoke in this area.
Oran
Cosmopolitan Oran
is Algeria's second largest city and one of the country's
busiest ports. It is also a major trading and industrial center.
Oran has since long times been known for being liberal and easygoing.
Much
of Oran's success in modern times, must be credited the French.
When they arrived here in 1831, there were no more than 4,000
people living in the city. Much of the structure of the city was formed
by French and Spanish settlers. Oran is today very much back to its old splendour, and being the second-largest city of Algeria, it is
an industrial, cultural and educational centre.
There is a lot to see and do around Oran, even if the city is far away from any form of tourist tracks. The Great Mosque, is built in 1796, as a celebration of the liberation from the Spanish. Visitors can enter the mosque and the minaret. The Marabout Sidi Mohammed El Haouri from 1793 is well worth the visit, representing Andalusian architecture. The Demaegth Museum is a good museum, well endowed with exhibitions covering thousands of years. Of European-built buildings, the Chateau Neuf from the Spanish, was before the civil strife started, begun to be rebuilt into a hotel. Cathedral de Sacré Coeur is now turned into a public library, and can be entered and explored for free. With Oran's size, no one should be surprised that the beaches near the centre is not extremely good. If you set out from town, however, first class beaches are easy to find.
Sétif: Sétif has existed since Roman times and
is located at an elevation of 1,100m.
Of no apparent reason a huge amusement park has been put up here
in this medium sized town. And it's right in the middle of it,
too. The park, one block away from the main street is filling up
half of the centre of Setif, and a lot of the local's attention
and activities are connected to it.
The
whole construction is quite well-kept, and offers many kinds of
amusements for the children, an artificial lake, fountains and a
small zoo. Right west of the park lie the ruins of a Byzantine
fortress, and to the east an acceptable archeological museum.
If you have something you think should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Things to See and Do in Algeria
|
Algeria has a wide range of features that would be of interest to
tourists. These include cultural centers, museums, and
memorials filled with historical backgrounds and items of
interest. A small seaside village, Bou Ismail, is a favorite
of visitors who enjoy a great fishing experience. And, for the
water sports lovers, Alger-Plage beach (Algiers- Beach) gives you an
opportunity for sailing and boating. A visit to Tipaza and
Berard villages provides a wealth of insights into the fascinating
Algerian history, from the Phoenicians to Roman times. In the
northern part of Algiers, (Kasbah), Stand Ketchaoua (a restored
ottoman mosque) and Bitchin mosque with a museum of traditional
arts, all offer interesting sights to explore and marvel at. Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, has never been knows as an exciting place to visit. But, the name alone conjures up interesting thoughts. The Medina is of course one place to visit with the markets and buildings of French origin and some magnificent Turkish palaces. Check the area near the Ketchaoua Mosque on Rue Hadj Omar. The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions is also worth a visit. For a good view of the city head out of the city center to Martyrs' Monument. If you have something you think should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
|
|
Suggestions for
Dining in Algeria Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you think should be added to this page of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
To Top
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you think
should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting
Away.
mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
|
Algeria Links
ArabNet - A Tour Guide For Algeria
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Travel and Tourism in Algeria
Algeria Information and Links
Algeria
Algeria Home Page
|
|
iTravelto.com offers a comprehensive African travel search engine (especially for South Africa) with lots of good information along with bookings for exciting travel packages to key tourist destinations in South Africa and the world. |
If you have something you think should be added to this page of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away. mailto: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
